This article reviews the key events of the past week in the cryptocurrency sector, including the activation of Ethereum Pectra, a Coinbase deal, legislative initiatives, and the expansion of Doodles.
CZ Begins Trump Pardon Application Process
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao revealed he has begun seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after completing his four-month prison sentence for money laundering charges. In an interview, he dismissed reports claiming he was attempting to exchange Binance.US equity for the pardon.
Coinbase Acquires Deribit and Rejects Saylor's Strategy
Coinbase CFO Alesia Haas disclosed that the company purchased $150 million in cryptocurrency, predominantly in Bitcoin, and also acquired Dubai-based crypto derivatives exchange Deribit for $2.9 billion. During the discussion, Haas and CEO Brian Armstrong noted that Coinbase had considered investing a larger share of the company balance sheet into cryptocurrency but ultimately chose a more cautious approach.
Ethereum Updates and Other Project News
The first phase of the Ethereum Pectra upgrade successfully launched on Wednesday, October 14. Vitalik Buterin proposed using RISC-V architecture instead of the Ethereum Virtual Machine to enhance the blockchain’s performance. Additionally, the Doodles project launched its DOOD token on Solana, and the American chain Steak 'n Shake announced it would accept Bitcoin payments.
The past week in the cryptocurrency world was eventful. Key events such as the activation of Ethereum and Coinbase deals highlight the ongoing development and changes in this dynamic field.
